Technology

[SkittlePumpkin]

So I see a lot of posts online about how cell phones are so bad and we're all so addicted to them (all of which have been viewed on my cell ) and I have to say that I'm getting kinda tired of it. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who are quite literally addicted to their phone, but here's just my own opinion on the matter.
I personally am quite thankful for the technology we have. If I'm using my phone to chat with a good friend or family member who lives miles and miles away that without it, I wouldn't be able to, I'm not going to apologize. If I'm using my phone for my daily devotionals or to read scripture, I'm not going to apologize. If I'm using my phone to post Bible verses and testimonies for my non-Christian friends to see on Facebook, I'm not going to apologize. I mean...I probably will apologize because I'm Canadian and we apologize for everything here. But I won't feel bad

Cell phones and technology are also heavily blamed as the culprits for creating an anti-social generation. While this might be true for some people, I'd like to point out that there are a lot of us who are introverted, shy, quiet creatures by nature, and were so long before having a cell phone, or using the internet. I myself am one such creature. I enjoy technology for the fact that I can communicate with people without feeling massive social anxiety. Like the chat here, for example. If I'm in the lounge and there's twenty other people in there, I'll feel confident enough to add to the conversation. If I was with those same twenty people in real life? I would most likely be experiencing panic attacks.

When I'm on my break at work, I am usually on my phone. And I've gotten the typical "addicted to technology" comments from peers. Oddly enough, I get similar negative feedback while reading a book. In fact, I have gotten lectured about the fact that I simply don't initiate conversation with coworkers, even when I'm just sitting there, not using my phone, or reading a book. I gotta say; if you have a shy child and you want to make them hate themselves later in life, tell them they're too shy. I have been haunted and plagued by these two words my whole life; "too shy". It's no wonder I have social anxiety; I spent my life thinking there was something wrong with me. Like I had to be a bubbly extrovert to be normal. As I've gotten older though, I've realized that shyness is not a disease. Introverts are not broken. I like that God made me quiet. I like that He made me a listener. And I thank God for my extroverted, outgoing friends; without them, I probably wouldn't have any friends! They are the initiators of conversation; I am the receiver of said conversations. Shy people and outgoing people, believe it or not, make an excellent team
Also, I'd just like to add that though I am on my phone/reading a book quite often, if someone strikes up a conversation with me, I STOP what I'm doing and respond to them.

Lastly, it's not just the "young people" who become addicted to cell phones and technology. It is people in general. I know people in their forties, fifties, and sixties who spend a lot more time on their phones or computers than some twenty-year-olds I know.

Rant over

 

[Ugly]

*applause

 

[FallenHearts]

Well said!

 

[Guest]

We could go rounds about this, you and I.

Technology is not to blame. It's similar to that old saying that "guns don't kill people; people kill people;" technology is just an instrument - an extension, if you will. It's ridiculous to assert that technology is somehow "bad" because people abuse it. I think that you and I might agree here.

On the same token, I don't disagree with people that feel we're way too enveloped in our electronic devices. Whether you're utilizing your device(s) for social purposes, entertainment, or otherwise is outside of the issue. The bigger picture is that we're not only literally exhibiting an addiction, we're often neglecting the people immediately around us. It's sad when we justify this by proclaiming our introversion - a claim I have a difficult time believing from people that specifically invest so much attention to being social online. It's hypocritical, and potentially muddles what an introvert truly is.

Okay, didn't mean to shift the focus away from your blog. (And in spite of this, I'm glad you're a part of the community here.)

 

[Ugly]

Siberian
It's not at all hypocritical. Introverts are not people that don't want socialization, they are people who desire it, just in smaller doses. Being in person can be overwhelming because you may often feel trapped in social contact. Being online gives you more freedom to control how and when and for how long you have social interactions.
And do to this extra sense of control, and a level of anonymity, it makes the social desires we have more easy to delve into. Without the internet most introverts would have little social interaction. With the Internet it provides more social interaction while allowing us to not be so easily overwhelmed.
So as an introvert myself I can state, factually, it is not hypocritical. But I find it somewhat of an ignorant statement you've made to make such a claim. You clearly are not an introvert, yet you want to make judgments on people who are. I would have expected better from you and find you attitude quite disappointing. Perhaps it's time to talk to an introvert to see what an introvert is actually like, because it has Nothing to do with not wanting to have socialization. It's simply a greater need to be alone more frequently because social interaction is draining because introverts give of themselves more easily when talking.
Idle chit chat is often frustrating and awkward. But a good, more in depth conversation is typically more enjoyable.

 

[Lis45]

As you can see, introverts are some of the most through communicators....through writing and/or listening. Maybe you oughtta tell your coworkers to feel free to text you, hehe. God makes introverts, extroverts, and all those "verts" in between (well...maybe not perverts, lol). He gives them all different gifts that can be used wonderfully according to His purpose.

While there's nothing wrong with being "quiet", a little "hello, how are you doing to day", with a smile can go a long way in breaking ice between coworkers.

...and your hair is absolutely stunning!

 

[Guest]

Siberian
It's not at all hypocritical. Introverts are not people that don't want socialization, they are people who desire it, just in smaller doses. Being in person can be overwhelming because you may often feel trapped in social contact. Being online gives you more freedom to control how and when and for how long you have social interactions.
And do to this extra sense of control, and a level of anonymity, it makes the social desires we have more easy to delve into. Without the internet most introverts would have little social interaction. With the Internet it provides more social interaction while allowing us to not be so easily overwhelmed.
So as an introvert myself I can state, factually, it is not hypocritical. But I find it somewhat of an ignorant statement you've made to make such a claim. You clearly are not an introvert, yet you want to make judgments on people who are. I would have expected better from you and find you attitude quite disappointing. Perhaps it's time to talk to an introvert to see what an introvert is actually like, because it has Nothing to do with not wanting to have socialization. It's simply a greater need to be alone more frequently because social interaction is draining because introverts give of themselves more easily when talking.
Idle chit chat is often frustrating and awkward. But a good, more in depth conversation is typically more enjoyable.

The definition of "introvert" is typically associated with a shy person, someone bashful or timid. This has nothing to do with freedom. Online communication may be liberating in the context that it connects people all over, but it is limiting in that it physically removes people from people. If we're talking about mitigating social pressure by removing the physical component, then I don't think we're talking about introversion anymore - but this is just my perspective; none of this is "fact."

Since you're putting me up on the chopping block, I'll share that I consider myself something of an "ambivert," if you will, but err on the side of introversion. I often tend to remove myself from people and have a friend (formerly from CC) that considers herself an introvert, as well as a couple of introverted ex girlfriends. That said, do you still want to talk about ignorance?

I am not down on anyone that's an introvert, having the tendencies myself. Please do not take it that way. My previous reply was an appeal to being (or at least trying to be) objective about how people justify devoting as much attention as they do to their devices, with the afterthought that if you struggle with people in person but can dish away on Facebook, chat rooms, etc. until the martians invade, it kind of comes off as duplicitous. If that sounds like I'm looking down on anyone, then I apologize and will leave it at that.

 

[SkittlePumpkin]

The definition of "introvert" is typically associated with a shy person, someone bashful or timid.

The definition of an introvert is simply someone who is energized by being alone. That's it. Yes, more often than not, introverts are shy, quiet people. But there are plenty of social, talkative ones out there; I personally know a few. They just need more alone time than extroverts (who can also be shy/quiet).

 

[Guest]

I can identify with this. Good read, thanks!

 

[mar09]

hi skittle.. this was in october last year?! i cannot read the whoel thing now, but if ur an introv.. so are we.
just posting.. if of any use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sIeKRhclQI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJwK_npUpbk

 

[Mikaela]

The definition of an introvert is simply someone who is energized by being alone. That's it. Yes, more often than not, introverts are shy, quiet people. But there are plenty of social, talkative ones out there; I personally know a few. They just need more alone time than extroverts (who can also be shy/quiet).

I agree and identify with this. I do enjoy being social, making friends, and going out but also have learned, and still learning that it's okay to have fun all by myself. Though I think there is a fine line between a 'healthy' introvertness and 'unhealthy' one.

Just listen out.

Not gonna give all he details of a sad life story, but I used to be outgoing and very friendly as a kid. Then, well as we all know, circumstance and life's issues came and went. Before those events, I didn't really have too many opportunities to be social until I attended 1st grade. Most of my parent's friends had no kids, kids that were younger than me, kids that were older than me, or both.

So! I technically had to just enjoy being by myself and have fun with myself. Now, the unhealthy introvertness I'm talking about developed after several events happened in my life, such as 2nd and 3rd degree burns, break ups, hurricane katrina, my father's death, and a few others. Specifically after my burns though began the decline I believe with being social and loving freely. I mean I love but I tend to be guarded. Heck, I'll even admit I created a safety bubble zone where I'm comfortable staying inside for days at a time without going outside on a perfectly sunny day.

That kind of introvertness, I believe is unhealthy or can be if a person allows for it to affect how they love people. Can even enable for someone to give up on life and become suicidal. This is just my opinion based on my experiences though. No flame please!